The decision by the United States to withhold more than half its
annual funding commitment to the United Nations relief agency
providing aid for Palestine refugees threatens “one of the most
successful and innovative human development endeavours in the
Middle-East,” the head of the body said Wednesday, warning that
the rights and dignity of an entire community are at stake.
In a statement Wednesday, Pierre Krähenbühl, the
Commissioner-General of UNRWA, said that US government announced
a contribution of $60 million for the UN agency, down from $350
million total contribution by the country in 2017.
The reduction has endangered the agency’s programmes across the
region, he added.
“At stake is the access of 525,000 boys and girls in 700 UNRWA
schools, and their future. At stake is the dignity and human
security of millions of Palestine refugees [and] access of
refugees to primary health care, including pre-natal care and
other life-saving services,” added Mr. Krähenbühl in the
statement.
He further noted that the reduced contribution “also impacts
regional security at a time when the Middle East faces multiple
risks and threats, notably that of further radicalization.”
In the statement, the Commissioner-General called on the agency’s
partners, including host countries and donors to continue to
support UNRWA and in creating new funding alliances and
initiatives to ensure the continued effectiveness of its
programmes.
He also noted that a global fundraising campaign will be launched
in the days to come to seek commitment for UNRWA initiatives,
including its schools and clinics throughout 2018 and beyond.
Also in the statement, Mr. Krähenbühl assured Palestine refugees
in all of the agency’s fields of operations that UNRWA would
continue to work with “absolute determination” to ensure that its
services continue.
“UNRWA stands for hope, for respect of rights and for dignity.
When things are difficult, our determination grows. When the way
seems lost, we invest all our energy in search of new paths,
keeping our eyes on the horizon and looking for different
solutions,” he stressed.
UNRWA programmes important as a factor of stability – UN
chief
Speaking to the press Tuesday at UN Headquarters in New York,
prior to the announcement by the US of reduction in its funding
to UNRWA, Secretary-General António Guterres underlined the
importance of the UN agency’s support programmes, not only for
the well-being of the refugees but also its importance as a
factor of stability, something which he noted is the “opinion
shared by most international observers, including some Israeli
ones.”
“So, if UNRWA will not be in a position to provide the vital
services and the emergency forms of support that it has been
providing, this will create a very, very serious problem. And
we’ll do everything we can to avoid the situation to occur,” said
Mr. Guterres.
